University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Leo Morton says he plans to leave the school earlier than expected.
Morton announced Wednesday that will step down in October. He had said in May that he wouldn't retire until after the 2017-18 academic year.
The Kansas City Star reports the 71-year-old Morton will become chief operating officer for DeBruce Companies in Kansas City. He also will be chancellor emeritus at Missouri-Kansas City.
The university appointed Barbara Bichelmeyer, current provost and executive vice chancellor, to be interim chancellor.
Morton previously worked at Aquila, AT&T Microelectronics, Bell Laboratories, General Motors and Corning Glass.
He was appointed interim chancellor in July 2008 and named chancellor five months later.
